Summary
This introductory lecture outlines a course exploring the tumultuous 30-year period since 1989, contrasting initial global democratic optimism with recent political instability and examining how historical events, political science, and political theory can illuminate current challenges and potential paths forward.
Key Takeaways
- Period of Focus: The course will explore the tumultuous 30-year period since 1989, contrasting it with the preceding 40 years of relative stability and prosperity after World War II, noting the acceleration of change since then 0:41.
- Shift from Optimism to Instability: It contrasts the widespread optimism of 1989 (democracy on the march, "end of history" as liberal democracy's triumph) with the current era, marked by the rise of far-right, anti-immigrant, and anti-system parties across Europe and the US since 2016 8:25.
- Course Methodology: The approach blends historical study with political science tools and political theory, using new data from the post-1989 "natural experiment" to test and refine conventional wisdom about democracy, economics, and international relations 21:16.
- Emphasis on Political Feasibility and "Paths Not Taken": The course will address normative questions from a practical perspective, examining how desirable goals could be achieved and exploring "paths not taken" in critical junctures like NATO expansion, the Global War on Terror, and the 2008 financial crisis response 28:48.
- Course Structure Overview: The lectures are divided into five sections: the collapse of communism, the new global order (including unipolarity and neoliberalism), the "end of the end of history" (9/11, resurgence of state capitalism), the new politics of insecurity (post-2008 financial crisis response), and "what is to be done" regarding misdiagnosed voter sentiment and political reforms 32:32.
- No Laptops/Screens Policy: Students are prohibited from using laptops, screens, or iPhones during lectures to prevent distraction, with all slides and materials being made available online 47:58.
- Community Access to Readings: For the general public without Yale ID, two complete sets of course books have been made available at the New Haven Public Library, as copyright restrictions prevent wider digital distribution of all materials 50:06.
